Hi Gang,
Since many of us use the Sigma 14mm EX lens for wideangle, I thought I'd post a tip I came up with to help reduce flare.
Since the front element of this lens sticks out so far, it often catches stray light which causes starbursts and flare spots in your shot. When a lens flares, it also ruins the color and contrast in the shot as well.
The built-on hood that comes with the 14mm lens is woefully inadequate, and hoods that housing manufacturers put on their domes are either non-existent (UK Germany 6") or too small (Ike extended dome). So this is what I made for my setup:
Since the digital SLR only shoots through the center of the lens, you can make the lens hood MUCH longer.
I used a strip of black cardboard (ok, so it has writing on it, I was desperate) which I wrapped around the lens and stuck together w/ electrical tape. Before fixing it down with electrical tape, slide it out while looking through your viewfinder. When you start to see cardboard, start cutting. You will see it in the corners first of course.
Keep moving it out and cutting the corners until you start to see it at the sides of the viewfinder. Then take a shot and check it on your computer. If you can't see any vignetting, then fix the lens hood in place. Check the fit in your dome port. If the cardboard hits, then cut it back (careful, don't scratch your dome).
Once I get the "jig" perfected, I intend to cut one of these out of aluminum roof flashing (can buy at Home Depot) and paint it matte black. It will become a permanent fixture on my lens.
For those of you using the Ike housing for the S2, take electrical tape and wrap it around the smaller diameter "tube" on your extended dome port. This will keep light from coming in there, and bouncing off the inside of your dome into the lens.
Hope this helps!
James
